Milford to hold special town meeting set on Sept. 9

A special town meeting on September 9 will give Milford voters the vote to purchase 5.8 acres at 127 Elm Street which will allow entrance to Keyes Memorial Park. The Keyes Pool is seen in the background near where the proposed entrance to the park is. (KATHLEEN BAGLIO HUMPHREYS)

MILFORD — Hillsborough County Superior Court approved the town’s request last week to hold a Sept. 9 special town meeting on a land purchase.

The town wants to buy property at 127 Elm St., saying it is critical to provide access to Keyes Memorial Park after the EPA cleanup at the old Fletcher site begins, possibly as soon as next year. The only entranceway to Keyes will be blocked during the process.

Keyes Memorial Park sits in the heart of Milford along the Souhegan River on 19 acres and offers family recreation with an outdoor pool, tennis courts, a skate boarding park, playground, athletic fields, a performing stage and picnic area.

The 5.8-acre lot abuts Keyes on the other side of the park from the current entrance and would add another entrance and land for additional playing fields and parking.

Public hearing July 14

A public hearing is scheduled for Monday, July 14, at 6:30 p.m. in the Board of Selectmen’s meeting room.

A deliberative session is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 14, in the Town Hall auditorium.

The asking price for the parcel was $600,000, but the town has until the end of the year to purchase it for $190,000.

“We’ve raised most of the funds already,” said Town Administrator Guy Scaife.

To date, $179,100 has been raised through community and business donations. Fundraising efforts continue.

The Keyes Foundation and the Kaley Foundation donated $50,000 each. Hitchiner Manufacturing and the Milford Community Athletic Association each donated $25,000.

The parcel at 127 Elm St. currently houses an abandoned industrial building. If the purchase is approved, the town will determine if the building will be razed or if some portions can be salvaged.

Building a community center there has been suggested.

Superior Court also OK’d allowing teachers contracts to be posted on the Sept. 9 ballot.